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Iranian official praises constructive role of Iran and Russia on international arena

Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s top adviser on international affairs has started his four-day visit to Moscow

Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s top adviser on international affairs, Ali Akbar Velayati EPA/NABIL MOUNZER

Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s top adviser on international affairs, Ali Akbar Velayati

© EPA/NABIL MOUNZER

TEHRAN. February 1. /TASS/. Iran and Russia can play a constructive role in the region and on international arena in ensuring peace and security, Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s top adviser on international affairs, Ali Akbar Velayati, said on Monday.

On February 1 Velayati started his four-day visit to Moscow. "During the trip I plan to meet with several high-ranking Russian officials and discuss security issues with them," IRINN TV channel quoted Velayati as saying. "As two countries that have great influence on the situation in the region and on international arena, Iran and Russia can play a constructive role in ensuring peace and forming favorable conditions for international exchange and regional cooperation," he added.

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He noted that both countries are working in close cooperation with Syria in the four-state coalition that also includes Iraq in fighting against terrorism. "Russia and Iran are main players in the sphere of regional cooperation," Velayati said.

The official said that talks in Moscow will also focus on discussing the issue of Iran’s accession to the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) as Russia and China welcome that. The Islamic Republic of Iran currently holds the observer status in this regional association. According to SCO charter, a country under international sanctions imposed on the basis of UN Security Council resolutions cannot become a member of the organization. In mid-January sanctions from Iran were lifted after the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) verified Tehran’s compliance with the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPA) on implementation of agreement on the nuclear program.

IRINN TV channel reported that Velayati, who also heads the Center for Strategic Research, is visiting Moscow on the invitations of Russian Strategic Research Institute’s director Leonid Reshetnikov.

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Foreign policy Iran

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